From his first album in 1969, which established his trademark song "Beautiful Kaua'i," to his last recording in 2002, Cockett always has embraced na mele maoli — the traditional songs of native Hawaiians.

Cockett had been battling complications from diabetes in recent years. He would have celebrated a birthday this Sunday.

"He's joining that big band in the sky," said Flip McDiarmid, who produced Cockett's last CD, "Still Strumming." "And the gang is growing."

Cockett was born and raised on Moloka'i. He learned his craft of singing and 'ukulele-strumming the way many of his generation did: by watching and listening his kupuna perform in backyard kanikapila (song).

"When you sing Hawaiian music," he once said, "you sing from your na'au (gut) but you give from your pu'uwai (heart). That is how I was taught by my na kupuna (elders).

His formal name was Kawaikeaniani'ulaokalani Anderson Cockett, but close friends and fans called him Uncle Kawai.

Retired for several years, Cockett was a multi-Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner (Best Male Vocalist in 1994 and 1999) and in 2004 was one of the honorees in the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts' Lifetime Achievement award.

Cockett was born in Puko'o, Moloka'i, on Sept. 24, 1938, the sixth of 16 children of Francis and Carrie Ae'a Anderson. He was given to his father's cousin, John Kawai Cockett, and was raised as a hanai son.

Survivors include his wife, Kamala 'Aina Cockett, and a son, Ha'aheo 'Aina Cockett. Wake and funeral services will be held at two sites:

i St. Patrick's Church, Oct. 6, with viewing at 5 p.m. and services at 7:30 p.m.

i Mililani Mortuary's Mauka Chapel Oct. 7, with viewing at 8 a.m. and services at 10 a.m.